Maternity pad



Dec. 31, 1929. GILBERT 1,741,838

Dec. 31, 1929. L. L. GIVLBERT 1,741,838

MATERNITY PAD Filed March 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31,1929 warren STATES rarer ,oFFicE LEVI L. GILBERT, F MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN,ASSIGNOR TO THE EM-DEE SUPPLY COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEVADAMATERNITY PAD Application filed March 1, 1928. Serial No. 258,169.

This invention relates to compact and readily transport-able maternityor obstetrical pads to be used on beds or operating tables.

It is an object of this invention to provide a compact and readily setup padfor the purpose indicated that will properly direct the drainageto prevent soiling of the bedding upon which it is positioned. Toaccomplish this result, I provide means-to envelop suita able stuffingmaterial to form a boundary ridge preventing overflow of liquid. Inorder to increase the compactness of the pad when folded up, Icontemplate inserting the stuffing material just prior to the use of the:3 pad, which may, therefore, be carried to the patient as a flat parcelfolded into a compact shape convenient to handle.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an article of theclass described that will be economical to manufacture andineXpenproofed material of inexpensive character sive enough to replaceafter a brief usage, as the rigid requirements of complete sterilizationare destructive to rubber sheeting. As an alternative, I propose to usea waterthat can be destroyed after use.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed, upon which. is positioned amaternity pad embodying the preferred form of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pad folded for transportation.

Figure 3 is an end plan view of the preferred form of pad.

Figure 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end fragmentary section on the line VV of Figure 8.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified form of pad.

Figure 7 is a section on the line VIP-VII m of Figure 6.

F igure. 8 is an end section on the line VIIIVIII of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an end section IX-IX of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is an end section on the line XX of Figure 6.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure 1 the preferred form of pad is shown in position on the edgeor side of a mattress 15 on an ordinary bedstead 16, the yielding effectof the mattress cooperating with the pad to increase the effectivenessthereof when positioned beneath the patient.

In both forms of the pad the foundation comprises a rectangular sheet ofmaterial 17 having an integral apron-like extension 18 in the center ofone of the longer sides, the original size of the sheet being indicatedby the dotted outline in Figure 3. In the form shown in Figures 1 to 5,the material is preferably a rubberized sheet that is easily cleanedafter use, while in the secondary form of Figures 6 to 10, the materialis preferably a form of waterproofed paper that is intended to be usedonly once and then destroyed. The differences in details in the twoforms arise only from the difference in material and the desire toproduce an inexpensive article for the modified form that is to be usedonly once.

In both cases, the ends 20 of the sheet are folded up and over suitableyielding filling material 21, such as cotton or a roll of newspaper orcloth. In the permanent form, the edges are fastened down by pairs ofsnap fastoners 22, whereas, when waterproofed paper is used for thesheet, the folded over ends are on the line permanently attached to thesheetby paper staples 28, such as are shown in side and end views inFigures 9 and 10. When this form of staple is used, the filling materialis stuffed into place in the folds at the time and place Where the padis to he used. The side 24.- opposite the apron is then similarly foldedover filling material and fastened to the sheet in the same way, thefold also embracing the unfilled ends 25 of the end folds, so that adouble fold is formed at the corners, which forms an efiective seal atthese points.

The use of the rear roll or fold depends both upon the patients positionon the pad and the comfort of the patient. If the hips are positionedabove or close to the front of the rear roll, it is necessary to fillthe roll as hereinbefore described, both to form a fluid dam and tosupport the small of the patients back. On the other hand, if the hipsare positioned on the edge of the bed so that the pad extends backalmost to the shoulders, it is not necessary to fill this roll as thepatients weight forms a naturally sloping drainage depression in themattress and springs so that there is no need of a fluid dam on the sideopposite the apron.

In the modified form of Figures 6 to 10, the two sloping edges 26 of theapron 17 are folded over and fastened by staples to form guides fordrainage flowing over the apron, a pan 27 being positioned on the floorbeneath the apron to receive drippings therefrom.

The pads of this invention are primarily intended for use in privatehomes, and are carried to the patient by the doctor, so that lightnessand compactness are very desirable characteristics. For this reason noparticular filling material has been specified as essential, the ideabeing that the doctor will use whatever is most convenient and adaptedto the purpose. By so omitting the filling, the bulk of the folded padis a small fraction of What it would otherwise be.

In the preferred form, when not in use, the folded ends and side areunfastened and the ends are then folded flat without the fillingmaterial, the apron being turned in on the body of the sheet, which isthen folded into a flat package, as shown in Figure 2. The modified formof paper pad is originally made with the side and end folds flat andstapled in place, this form also being folded in a similar manner forconvenience in transportation to the patient.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like flapextending from the center of one side thereof, the other sides of saidsheet being folded back thereover to form pockets for the reception ofstufiin'g material whereby a ridge is formed around the other sides ofthe sheet.

2. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like flapextending from the center of one side thereof, the other sides of saidsheet being folded back thereover to form pockets for the reception ofstuffing material whereby a ridge is formed around the other sides ofthe sheet, and, temporary fastening means for said folded sides wherebythe stuffing material can be removed and the entire sheet folded into afiat package.

3. A maternity pad comprising a waterproof sheet having an apron-likeextension, spaced open pockets formed in said sheet substantiallyparallel to the axis of said extension and adapted to receive abolster-like stuiiing when prepared for use.

4. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having spaced substantiallyparallel open pockets formed thereon adapted to receive a bolster-likestuffing when prepared for use.

5. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having an apron-like extension andspaced pockets formed on the body of said sheet and substantiallyparallel to the axis of said extension, and another pocket formed on thebody of the sheet and normal to the first named pockets.

6. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having a rectangular body portion,two of the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to formopen-ended pockets for the re ception of stutiing material wherebyspaced parallel ridges are formed to direct fluids, and temporaryfastening means for said folded sides.

7. A maternity pad comprising a sheet having a rectangular body portionand two of the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to formopen-ended pockets for the reception of stuliing material whereby spacedparallel ridges are formed to direct fluids, a third side of the sheetbeing folded back thereover to close one end of each of the spacedparallel pockets and to form a pocket for the reception of stuflingmaterial, Whereby a ridge is formed normal to the parallel pockets, andtemporary fastening means for said folded sides.

8. A maternity pad comprising a sheet of flexible material impervious towater, the sides of the sheet being arranged to be folded back thereoverto form open pockets adapted to receive bolster-like fillers, the edgesof the folded sides of the sheet being secured to the sheet wherebyliquid dams are formed on the sheet.

9. A maternity pad comprising a sheet of flexible material impervious towater, the sides of the sheet being folded back thereover to form openpockets, the folded sides of the sheet being secured to the sheet toform liquid dams on the sheet.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, CookCounty,

Illinois.

LEVI L. GILBERT.

